Two new books on EDs.

Can't keep my mind off obesity/EDs, food, eating, etc., and our blogs. Even at work, my mind wanders to blogspot, wondering if there are new posts. The self-revelatory entry I made is still up, and I decided this morning to stay brave and keep it up for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is your comments. They're beautiful, and I'll return to them when I need to read them. Thanks, guys, again.

I was crazily antsy about getting some more ED books, and studied Amazon for an hour or two trying to decide what to get. I already have one that I haven't blogged about yet, even though I've finished reading it, so I didn't need any, but chose two. They were just delivered ten minutes ago.

The first was two cents, plus $3.99 s/h. It's in nearly brand-new condition, too. I've decided not to get anything older than 2005 since there's so much new science in the field. If there's something good on the philosophy, politics, etc., I don't care if it's older, but science changes too rapidly to stick with old stuff.

Anyway, the first one is called, The Body Betrayed: A Deeper Understanding of Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment, by Kathryn J. Zerbe, M.D. You'll notice that I emphasize women in my blog. Part of it is that I'm a woman and understand women's problems better. Another part is that all of the EDs, even obesity, have more women in them than men, although obesity is almost half-and-half. But the biggest part is that women comment here, and I think Allan is my only male reader. He's never sexist in his blog--he blogs for everyone. I started out that way, but until I get some male readers, it'll probably stay geared to women.

Zerbe is a staff psychiatrist at the Menninger Clinic, among other things. In addition to basic principles involving EDs, she's written chapters on "the impact of sexual and physical abuse, the relationship between eating disorders and chemical dependency, medical complications, the biology of nutrition, pregnancy, athletics...and much more." It sounded good, and like I said was only two cents. Couldn't pass it up.

The second one is the one I've been eagerly anticipating. It was recommended by Amazon itself based on my reading habits. Eating Disorders, by Pamela K. Keel. I paid a small fortune for it, and it's a skinny book, completely the opposite of the other one. But it looks well worth it. It's brand new, not second-hand, and is used as a graduate level college textbook, which explains its price ($30+!!). Just opened it and it went right to a page talking about "forbidden" foods and weight maintenance. It's discussing how it's probably easier to avoid whole groups of foods, such as desserts, than it is to eat them in moderation; that moderation may not be possible for those with an ED. I notice in several of the blogs I read regularly, particularly AGB, that's the thinking. Just don't eat the thin sliver of cheesecake to begin with, and you won't then eat the whole damn thing later that evening when you're alone. Makes sense to me, although many times I'm able to stop after that first bite. (Other times, not, which incites terrible fear; panic, actually. I want to run and run and run 'til I collapse.)

I'll be starting on the second book tonight: Eating and Weight Disorders, by Carlos M. Grilo. I have Post-Its stuck all through it to talk about. You poor people--more research papers. Well, no other blog I've been reading routinely addresses this stuff, so I guess I've found my niche.

Hope to see you later.